Obituaries for May 12, 2013

Pastor Emeritus, the Rev. Dr. Charles Finley Stevens of Mesa, Ariz., passed into the Lord's Eternal Care on Sunday, April 28, 2013, due to Alzheimer's Disease. He was born on April 7, 1929, in Lenoir to Ruth and William E. Stevens. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Donna Swanson Stevens; daughter Amy Stevens Jones (David) of Tempe, Ariz.; son Charles Todd Stevens (Kelly) of Ahwatukee, Ariz.; five grandchildren, Katherine and Rachael Jones, Matthew, Connor and Maya Stevens; a sister, Anne Stevens Carlton Clay (David) of Salisbury; and a sister-in-law, Allene Broyhill Stevens of Lenoir. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, William E. Stevens Jr., and a sister, Betty Stevens Linney. Charles Stevens graduated from Culver Military Academy, Northwestern University with a Civil Engineering degree, and McCormick Presbyterian Seminary in Chicago. He first served at the House of Hope Presbyterian Church in St. Paul, Minn., as Youth Minister, where he met his wife, Donna. His second calling was to the Virginia, Minn., Presbyterian Church, where the Jaycees awarded him the "Outstanding Young Man of the Year" award. His third church was the St. Cloud, Minn., Presbyterian Church. Huron Presbyterian College in Huron, S.D., presented him with an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree. His fourth church was Apache Wells Community Church in northeast Mesa, Ariz., a church of retired senior adults. A "Celebration of Life of the Rev. Dr. Charles Stevens" will be held on Nov. 23, 2013, at 2 p.m. at Apache Wells Community Church for friends and family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Apache Wells Community church, 2115 N. Gayridge Road, Mesa, AZ 85215, or Hospice of the Valley, 3510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014.

Marie Peterson

Marie Hughes Peterson, “Nannie,” 85, of N.C. 197, North Bakersville, passed away May 9, 2013, at Mountain Manor in Burnsville. She was a daughter of the late Earl and Pansy Barnett Hughes and a Native of Mitchell County. She was a lifelong member of The Brethren Church and was a Child Care Giver.

Survivors include her two daughters, Jean Bennett and husband Bobby, and Sharon Barnett, all of Green Mountain; two sons, Leonard Peterson and wife Elizabeth of Rutherford College, and Robert Hansen of Green Mountain; three sisters, Florence Gouge of Burnsville, Sylvia Wright of Bakersville, and Connie Thomas of Green Mountain; four brothers, Malone Hughes of Spruce Pine, Troy Hughes of Green Mountain, Ross Hughes of Erwin, Tenn., and Marcus Hughes of Travelers Rest, S.C.; five granddaughters, Robin, Rhonda, Renee, Tasha and Tiffany; one great-granddaughter, Brandie; three great-grandsons, Dustin, Blake and Anton; two great-great-grandsons, Sam and Chris; and four great-great-granddaughters, Payton, Nevaeh, Kayla and Faith.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Stuart Peterson; her sons, Keith and Daniel Peterson; and five brothers, Robert, Claude, Charlie, Riley and Raymond Hughes.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 11, 2013, at 4 p.m. in the chapel of Henline – Hughes Funeral Home with Joe Brown officiating. The family will receive friends two hours prior to the service. Interment will follow at Buchanan Cemetery (Poplar Creek Road).

Henline – Hughes Funeral Home is assisting the Peterson Family.

Jeanne Douglas

Jeanne Victoria Douglas, 89, passed away on Friday, May 10, 2013, at Hospice of Catawba Valley. She was born in Halifax County on Nov. 8, 1923, to the late Coy Nelson and Katie Langley Nelson. She was of Baptist faith.

She retired from Lenoir Furniture Corporation where she made many dear and lasting friends.

She is survived by her three children, Paula Douglas Hoff and husband Ed of Fernandina Beach, Fla., Michael Wayne Douglas and wife Cindy of Virginia Beach, Va., and Dr. H.E. Douglas Jr. and wife Michelle of Raleigh; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A celebration of Ms. Douglas’ life was held in the Chapel of Evans Funeral Service on Saturday, May 11, 2013, at 4 p.m. Interment will be at Blue Ridge Memorial Park.

Online condolences may be sent to the Douglas Family at www.evansfuneralservice.com

Evans Funeral Service & Crematory of Lenoir is serving the Douglas Family.

James Woodruff

James Dillard Woodruff, 91, passed away on Friday, May 10, 2013, at Caldwell Memorial Hospital. He was born in the Upton area of Caldwell County on Sept. 17, 1921, to the late Manuel Woodruff and Della Crump Woodruff. He was married to the late Cora Gragg Woodruff.

Mr. Woodruff was a veteran of the U.S. Army having served during World War II.

In addition to his wife and parents he was preceded in death by his grandson, Michael Scott Kirk, four brothers and one sister.

The family will receive friends from 1 until 2 in the Chapel of Evans Funeral Service on Monday, May 13, 2013.

A celebration of Mr. Woodruff’s life will be held in the Chapel of Evans Funeral Service on Monday, May 13, 2013, at 2 with Pastor Lane Hamby officiating. Interment will immediately follow the service in Blue Ridge Memorial Park with military honors.

Online condolences may be sent to the Woodruff Family at www.evansfuneralservice.com

Evans Funeral Service & Crematory of Lenoir is serving the Woodruff Family.

Charles Greene

Charles Eugene Greene, 56, of Glass Road, Lenoir, passed away Saturday, May 11, 2013, at his home, surrounded by his family. He was born in Lenoir on Sept. 11, 1956, to the late Kenneth J. Greene and Jane Greene Braswell of the home. In addition to his father he is preceded in death by his stepfather, Thomas J. Braswell; his paternal grandparents, Ralph and Dorothy Greene; and his maternal grandparents, Jim and Toy Greene.

Despite being born with cerebral palsy, Charles lived life to its fullest. He had a contagious smile and an unconditional love for his family and everyone he met. Charles had a great sense of humor and loved picking on his brother and sisters. He enjoyed cheering for the Atlanta Braves and Dallas Cowboys. He was an active member of Berea Advent Christian Church. At his 50th birthday, family and friends honored Charles by installing chimes in the church steeple because of his love for music.

In addition to his mother, Charles is survived by his brother, Doug Greene and his girlfriend Lisa Dugger; two sisters, Teresa Goble and Lisa Austin, all of Lenoir; his nephews, Josh Goble and wife Amy of Lenoir, Justin Goble and wife Lucy of Durham, and Hunter Greene of Lenoir; special great-niece, Elinor Goble of Lenoir; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Funeral services for Charles will be held Tuesday, May 14, 2013, at 11 a.m. at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home Chapel conducted by the Rev. Gordon Noble and Rev. Floyd Boston. Interment will follow at Berea Advent Christian Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Monday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be left at www.greer-mcelveenfuneralhome.com. Greer-McElveen Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Ray Stanley Jr.

Elmer Ray Stanley Jr., 55, passed away on Friday, May 10, 2013, at Caldwell Hospice. He was born in Elizabethton, Tenn., on Jan. 18, 1958, to the late Elmer Ray Stanley Sr. and Dorothy Sue Byers Stanley.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brother, John Fred Stanley and his sister, Carolyn Sue Holsopple.

He is survived by his sons, John Stanley and Bobby Stanley; sister, Debra Curtis; three grandchildren; and Mike and Tia Jackson.

The funeral service for Mr. Stanley will be held in the Chapel of Evans Funeral Service on Sunday, May 12, 2013, at 2. Burial will immediately follow the service in Cox Cemetery, 4718 Tabernacle Way, Ferguson, NC.

The family will receive friends from 1 until 2 prior to the service.

Online condolences may be sent to the Stanley Family at www.evansfuneralservice.com

Evans Funeral Service & Crematory of Lenoir is serving the Stanley Family.

James Day

James Randy Day, 58, of Lenoir passed away Saturday, May 11, 2013, at his residence.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time and will be announced by Pendry’s Lenoir Funeral Home & Crematory.

Ronald Bowean

Ronald Naquam "Popo" Bowean, 34, of Knoxville passed away with peace, surrounded by love on Wednesday, May 8, 2013, at the University of Tennessee Medical Center. He died from complications related to pneumonia after living with dignity and grace with cerebral palsy.

Ronald was a graduate of Fort Sanders Educational Development Center. He also attended the United Cerebral Palsy School Age Programs in Queens, N.Y. Ronald was an associate member of both the Christian Center of Knoxville and Grace Bible Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Laura Norwood Bowean; father, Walter Ronald Patterson; and aunt, Charlene Bowean. He is survived by his mother Eather Mae Bowean, twin sister Lolly Bowean, cousin/brothers Demetrios, Yusef and Julius Bowean.